On The Sunny Side Of The Street

Harold Ashby - On The Sunny Side Of The Street (1992) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 402 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 158 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 264 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1992, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6376
Jazz / Post Bop / Saxophone / Piano Trio

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. Harold Ashby's a tremendous tenorist – almost like Von Freeman or Buck Hill, in that he had years of experience before getting a bit of wider experience on records – thanks to albums like this! The set's got Ashby's great raspy tone in perfect formation with a trio led by pianist Horace Parlan – himself experiencing a big new wave of exposure at the time, on some of his other Timeless sessions, which marked a move to spacious, more tradition-filled playing – which makes him a great partner for Ashby on this set!

Surprisingly enough this 1963 LP was the first time (other than a couple songs) that Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie recorded together. (The match-up was so logical that it would be repeated many times over the next 20 years.) Fitzgerald sounds fine and, even if Quincy Jones' arrangements did not give the Basie musicians as much space for solos - although two songs do feature a bit of trumpeter Joe Newman, trombonist Urbie Green and Frank Foster on tenor - this is an enjoyable effort. High points include "Honeysuckle Rose," "Them There Eyes" and "Shiny Stockings."
It was originally issued as "Ella & Basie!" and reissued later with slightly different cover art as "On the Sunny Side of the Street".

The Jazz Club series is an attractive addition to the Verve catalogue. With its modern design and popular choice of repertoire, the Jazz Club is not only open for Jazz fans, but for everyone that loves good music. This installment features the unmistakable sound of Count Basie and His Orchestra. 18 tracks including 'Red Roses For A Blue Lady', 'The Lady Is A Tramp', 'Sweet Lorraine' and, of course, 'On The Sunny Side Of The Street'.

Defying what has become conventional wisdom, tenor saxophonist Lester Young cut some of his greatest recordings in the 1950s – that is, when he was reasonably healthy. On this wonderful effort with pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Barney Kessel, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer J.C. Heard, Prez performs definitive versions of "Just You, Just Me" and "Tea for Two," and plays a string of concise but memorable ballad renditions: "On the Sunny Side of the Street," "Almost Like Being in Love," "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "There Will Never Be Another You," and "I'm Confessin'." This is essential music from a jazz legend. Some reissues augment the original dozen songs with a version of the good-humored "It Takes Two to Tango," which features Young's only recorded vocals, plus a rather unnecessary false start (on "I Can't Get Started," ironically), along with some studio chatter.